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Zacatecas, Mexico

Photo: Dulce Sosa

Relevance of the Research

There is little information on interactions between large-scale renewable energy projects with local populations in the study areas due to the fact that these larger-scale projects have only just begun to be developed. The benefits and costs of the larger-scale projects for women are unknown. There is also a lack of information on current small-scale, decentralized use of renewable energy technologies and the effects of these on urban, peri-urban and rural women’s lives and livelihoods. The lack of information hinders the possibility of designing technologies that respond to the energy needs of women.

Zacatecas: general characteristics

Zacatecas is located in the north-central region of Mexico. It has a population of 1,579,209 inhabitants, 59% urban and 41% rural. The state has a cold and dry climate; 75% of its territory is arid or semi-arid, with an average annual rainfall of 16.8 inches. Its vegetation includes bushes, pastures, trees (mezquites, huizaches) and diverse species of cacti. The most important economic activities are the extraction of silver, trade, agriculture (beans, fodder) and livestock (cattle). Zacatecas has high rates of international migration (4.8% of the state population).